where to get living/dining room furniture?

[knittingmama]

I'm clueless about these things... I want to get a bookcase, sideboard and new dining room set this year, but have no idea where to look. Where can I get decent quality furniture that doesn't cost a fortune? I'm really sick of Ikea, plus I don't like the slick modern looking stuff... wanting a medium coloured wood in a classic style- not too trendy but not old fashioned. Also, have to be able to see it in person. Any suggestions on where to look?

Habitat ?

PS we live in the North East if that makes a difference. Also prefer it all to co-ordinate!

furniture village?

Whatever you do, DON't go to Harveys. They are shoddy, lying rip off merchants !

New Heights stuff looks quite nice but have a feeling may be pricey.

We bought our dining table and chairs from New heights and have been very pleased with them. They've got a good sale on at the moment, and some branches have an ex-display section where you can pick up some really good bargains. Take a look at their website, they have most of the stuff and prices on there, but you have to go to an actual branch to order it. Only snag is waiting time, we ordered 2 new chairs today to go with our 4 sale bargains and will have to wait 10 weeks to get them!

in order (descending) of price and quality...

heals
new heights
habitat

Thanks, I just went on the New Heights website and unfortunately there are no stores up here in Newcastle (typical!)... grrrrrr. Ditto for Heal's and Habitat. How annoying. Furniture village exists up here, and their prices seem OK, just had a look. Any other ideas?

Fenwicks?

I've got most of my best furniture from second hand furniture shops and freecycle.

We have a fab charity shop here which has a huge turnover of furniture, got a fantastic extendable dining table in pine plus 4 chairs for £50 delivered and I love it - don't like supposedly trendy stuff either - nor old fashioned dark wood type things as our cottage is dark ebough as it is!

With freecycle, it might be a bit more hit and miss - depends how active your local site is. People often post photos of furniture when they list it on freecyle - saves going round and trying to find a polite way of turning down a hideous piece of furniture.

Ooohh, yes, local auctions are fab too - a good selecetion of antique and modern.

These methods might take a bit more time get all the furniture you want but it's much more fun the usual furniture shopping chore IMO.

Happy hunting

www.ethnicraft.com

www.mariescorner.com

If you like oak furniture, the Quercus range is really nice. See this link. They have stockists throughout the country, so there may be one near you.